Ant and Dec's million-dollar US bet in jeopardy

London, May 25 : Telly duo Ant and Dec's dream to make it big in the US seems to be in jeopardy, for they have been told that their new American show Wanna Bet? might be dropped.

Campaigners claim that the programme encourages kids to gamble.

Network giant ABC is now under pressure and its debut planned for July 21 is dicey.

At the least the show is unlikely to go out in its present format, based on the German hit Wetten Dass?, even though six shows are in the can.

Ant and Dec, Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, are said to be 'bitterly disappointed'.

"As far as we're aware, ABC are really excited about the show. The audiences in the two shows I saw were brilliant and they had no idea who Ant and Dec were," The Daily Express quoted a spokesman for Ant and Dec, as saying.

However, Don Henderson, of Parents Against Gambling, said: "America isn't like Britain. Gambling is confined to legalised casinos and, unfortunately, the Internet. To actively encourage people - especially impressionable kids - to start betting is highly irresponsible."

A senior source at ABC said: "We are taking these comments very seriously... and we'll be thinking long and hard before making any scheduling decisions to air it."

A source from the duo's pilot show said: "They wouldn't want to do anything that encourages youngsters to gamble or try stunts but they are bitterly disappointed at being hung out to dry while their dream of making it big in America is on hold."

ANI